Itsuki grinned wickedly, staring at the "Silence Speaks Louder Than Words" before him, rubbing his chin as he began to comment.
"No wonder they say you have the most beautiful back in the ninja world. From behind, you're simply mesmerizing."
"Your figure is also perfect—curves in all the right places, graceful and poised, truly embodying the elegance of a mature woman. This time, I've really struck gold."
"I can already imagine our happy future together."
"As for your strength, that's secondary."
"Additionally…"
"How did your hair grow like that?"
Itsuki looked at Pakura with suspicion, a few question marks popping up in his mind.
This was probably his only question.
Your hair is green, but you also have two orange strands. The first half of these strands is green, and only the second half changes color.
How did that happen?
Or did you dye just those parts?
Itsuki was well aware that hair colors in the ninja world come in all shades, thanks to his frequent spying.
But this is just too unique!
He had studied it several times and found nothing unusual.
It seemed natural.
"Bang!"
With a muffled sound, Pakura finally broke Itsuki's illusion.
She opened her eyes and stared at Itsuki in shock and fear. "Who exactly are you?"
She had struggled for so long to break the illusion, yet it was something he had cast with just a casual glance.
The level of this illusion was beyond anything she'd ever seen or even heard of.
Even a tailed beast might be controlled with just one look.
"Since you've sincerely asked, I'll be merciful and tell you!"
Itsuki crossed his arms over his chest, wearing an arrogant expression.
"I'm the man destined to be your king!"
Pakura: "…"
That feeling of encountering a lunatic resurfaced once again.
It had started when Itsuki saved her, and it had only grown stronger since then.
"So, beautiful back, now that you've witnessed my power, are you willing to submit? Or do you want to keep playing with me? I don't mind, but can your body handle it?"
Itsuki's face twisted with a wicked grin.
Pakura sighed helplessly, looking at Itsuki, and slowly said, "Your strength is the greatest I've ever seen, and you've saved my life…"
The key point is that I'm still your prisoner!
If I don't agree, will you let me go?
It's just a matter of getting beaten more or less.
I'm not a masochist.
"Submitting to you isn't impossible."
Itsuki chuckled, "Next, you're going to say… 'but'!"
"But!"
Pakura ignored his teasing and said, "I have a small condition."
"Let's hear it!"
"I'm from the Sand Village."
"You're not going to say you can't fight against people from the Sand Village, are you?"
"No!"
Pakura replied calmly, "If there are any future missions against the Sand Village, please leave them to me!"
"I once fought for the prosperity of the Sand Village. From now on, I'll live to destroy it."
Her eyes showed an intense hatred.
The more she once loved, the deeper the hatred after betrayal.
"Deal!"
Itsuki clapped his hands lightly, nodding in satisfaction.
Pakura let out a long breath and knelt on one knee before Itsuki.
Seeing this, Itsuki couldn't help but burst into laughter.
His laughter grew louder and more maniacal.
The fifth of the Uchiha Maniacs had arrived once more.
Who knows if the third, Itachi, and the fourth, Sasuke, would appear again?
Their fates had already been altered by Itsuki.
In the midst of his laughter, one of the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan in Itsuki's eyes grew slightly dim.
Indeed!
Itsuki had used Kotoamatsukami!
Pakura had become Itsuki's most loyal subordinate in a very "smooth" manner.
As Itsuki had said, from today onward, Pakura's body and mind would belong to him.
The most terrifying part was that Pakura herself didn't even realize it.
She believed she had submitted to Itsuki's power, owed him her life, and needed to repay him. Itsuki had also promised to help her seek revenge against the Sand Village.
It all made perfect sense!
She naturally became his subordinate.
The price was one Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, rendering it unusable for five to six years.
Was it worth it?
Of course, it was!
Looking at Pakura, who knelt on one knee, still unable to hide her grace, Itsuki rubbed his hands together.
He could hardly wait!
But!
Even if he couldn't wait, it wasn't possible right now.
There were many people outside, and if he didn't go out soon, they would break in.
Itsuki sighed helplessly and said, "Let's go, Pakura. From today onward, you are my personal bodyguard, codename: Leaf!"
"In the beginning, you'll need to hide your identity. After all, your identity is too sensitive. But don't worry, it won't be long before you can walk freely."
"Yes!" Pakura wasn't concerned about this.
To many, she was already considered dead.
Even in the Sand Village, the official story was that Pakura had died.
Many even vowed to avenge her.
She was prepared to hide in the shadows for the rest of her life.
Isn't that the fate of a ninja?
She took the large black robe Itsuki handed her and put on the mask he provided.
But...
Veins faintly bulged on Pakura's forehead.
The mask had a woman's face carved on it.
Anyone who had participated in the ninja wars and fought against the Sand Village's ninjas was familiar with that face.
It was Pakura's face!
You're really something!
Pakura was impressed.
You want her to hide her identity, yet you give her a mask with her own face carved on it.
Are you afraid people won't connect the dots?
"Master..."
"What?"
"I'm impressed!"
"Remember, following me, there will be many things you'll have to support, not just me but also tables, chairs, mirrors, trees... even walls!"
Pakura was baffled.
I was complimenting you, and now you're talking about something completely random?
Mirrors? Why would I need to support those?
He always says the strangest things.
Pakura shook her head, looking conflicted as she put on the mask.
The two of them strode toward the exit.
At this moment, a large number of Uchiha ninjas had gathered at the top of the dungeon.
Though this was a remote, abandoned place, it still belonged to the Uchiha.
The commotion from the battle between two Kage-level fighters was not small.
Especially Itsuki's outburst—the intense chakra fluctuations were noticeable even by non-sensory ninjas.
What's more, the Uchiha clan had recently increased their manpower in all areas, with sensory ninjas almost monitoring the entire Uchiha territory around the clock.
A Uchiha with a three-tomoe Sharingan stared coldly at the entrance to the dungeon and said, "First squad, follow me down. Second squad, be ready to support us."
"Yes!" The Uchiha ninjas responded in unison.
"Let's go!" The Uchiha leader shouted, jumping down first.
As the others were about to follow, the Uchiha who had just jumped down was suddenly kicked out.
"What's going on?"
"What's going on?"
A grumbling voice rang out.
"You evil Uchiha, what are you planning now?"
As he spoke, Itsuki swaggered out with Pakura, glaring at the gathered Uchiha.
"Gathering so many people—tell me, what evil plan are you up to this time? Let me tell you, you won't succeed!"
(End of Chapter)